588 - - 588, Please.
One month later, Aphrodite, the capital of the new Crimiana cult, was deserted.
The city, usually bustling with people dressed in white, was now deserted.
This was due to the strict curfew imposed by Pope Vieille. Martial law had been imposed on the city, so to speak, and the residents were not allowed to go out freely.
Needless to say, the reason for this was the friendly flowers growing all over the city. These flowers, which grew in dozens of places, were reproducing and expanding their range.
Vieille did not sit idly by and let the flowers be exterminated. In addition, he had ordered the Institute of Medical Science of Klimiana to establish a method to exterminate the flowers as soon as possible. However, the use of fire magic, which was initially thought to be effective, failed early on, and the extermination method was also at a standstill. At this point, there was a feeling of exhaustion within the Church, and some cardinals even suggested that the capital be abandoned and moved to a different location.
However, Vieille had no intention of abandoning the capital. While she devoted herself to exterminating the flowers, she took all possible measures to prevent them from spreading any further. The most important of these measures was to impose a curfew on the residents of the capital.
Vieille feared that the flowers would be taken away out of curiosity and take root elsewhere. He managed to control the spread by keeping the traffic to a minimum and by continually burning the flowers that grew.
But the wise Vieille knew what to do. This measure would not work forever. The only way to solve this problem was to establish a method to get rid of the flowers as soon as possible.
In the meantime, she had been paying attention to the Grand Duchy of Foal. The Grand Duchy of Foal, which had remained silent up to now, had suddenly taken a hard-line stance against Klimiana, as if it had turned its palm. The most important of them was the deportation of the followers of the Crimean faith. It would be understandable if the cardinals were to be expelled. But to exile one's own people! It was obvious that the Grand Duke was thinking of breaking with the Crimean faith.
Vieille believed that this attitude was probably due to the fact that the method of exterminating the flower of friendship had been established. It was easy to imagine that Agartha's support was there. What means did they use? Agartha has many scholars, including Meilias, the queen, who are no less than Klimiana herself. Vieille was convinced that they had combined their wisdom and established a method of extermination other than magic. However, she could not even imagine what kind of method it would be, not even with her own brain.
Day by day, moment by moment, she received reports on the status of the friendly flowers. None of them were good, and she was getting frustrated.
"Your Holiness, I have a request.
Suddenly, a man's voice was heard. Standing before her was Cardinal Ron Esrotel. He was still staring into Vieille's eyes. She tried not to let him know how upset and conflicted she was, so she spoke to him in a relaxed manner, trying to create an atmosphere of composure as much as possible.
"Yes, sir?"
"I humbly request that Cardinal Mataca be dispatched to Agartha."
Vieille was at a loss for a response, not quite understanding the meaning of Ron Esrotel's words.
Cardinal Mataca had tried to seduce Serloitte, the niece of Taste, the Grand Duke of Faull, and manipulate her to his will, but had failed, and had fled back to Aphrodite in a crawl. He was now waiting at home until his next assignment was decided. And now they were sending him to Agartha. It was natural that Vieille would have a hard time understanding.
As if he fully understood her feelings, Ron Esrotel continued to speak in a manner as if he was chewing on a piece of paper.
"According to what I have learned, there is a Serloite in Agartha.
"Where did you get such information?"
I cannot tell you that.
Then I do not believe this information. Please step back.
Please wait, Your Holiness. Please wait, Your Holiness. ...... Okay. I'll tell you. Baron Bonisao of Agartha.
Baron Bonisao?
Yes, sir. The Baron Bonisao, the one Gillette was working with for intelligence in the territory.
Why would Baron Bon Isao give us such information?
The head of the Freeman branch has been in contact with me for some time. I have asked him to report as much information as possible about Agartha through Freeman. The Baron went all the way to the capital to gather information, where he found out that Meilias, the queen of Agartha, was devoted to some kind of research at the University of Agartha. There, she was accompanied by a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Serloit."
"Okay. But why did you need to keep the information from Baron Bon Isao from me? I doubt it."
I beg your pardon. Gillette was in charge of Baron Bon Isao. Without his permission, Director Freeman and I gave instructions to the Baron. We were overstepping our authority, so to speak. I am willing to accept the punishment.
Ron Esrotel looks at Vieille with cool eyes. In her gut she was disgusted by the inedible man. She did not need to think how punishing him now, punishing the one who had reported the valuable information, would affect the congregation.
...... can do whatever they want to do to this man depending on the veracity of this information.
Vieille thinks about this as he confronts the white-haired man.
"I will take a look at the matter of sending Cardinal Mataca to Agartha.
At her words, Ron Esrotel bowed reverently. When the man had gone and the office was empty, Vieille slowly clapped her hands twice.
"You wanted to see me, sir?"
A woman serving as Vieille's secretary appears. She orders the woman in a dignified voice.
Please get me a change of clothes. I'm going out."
"Are you going out ......? Um, ...... where are you going?"
Please get me a change of clothes as soon as possible. And get Mr. Aron from the ...... lab, please."
"Mr. Aron?"
"This is Mr. Aron of Posehay, who works at the Institute of Medicine."
"Yes, sir. ......
The woman bowed reverently and left.
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
Now?
"Yes."
I sigh and look at the soldier's face. He's giving me a serious look. That's what I think. Vieille has suddenly appeared at the entrance to the Agartha headquarters. He seems to have moved in without regard to the presence of the soldiers. It seems that Posehaye, with a troubled expression on his face, was by the little girl's side. Probably, she was asked a reckless request by Vieille, who was acting all pretentious. I'll tell Chiwan to give him a vacation and some time to heal.
Vieille proudly introduced himself to the bewildered soldiers and said it was urgent and that he wanted to see me. I order the soldiers to let me into the reception room and slowly stand up.
"Well, I guess it's time for your punishment.
The sky was overcast and it looked like it was going to rain at any moment. .......